Could you have Executive Function weakness?

If we didn’t have strong executive function (or EF) skills, we might sit around all day drinking coffee and never get out of our pj’s, let alone get any of our jobs, responsibilities, or tasks done. We need initiative to get going, we need to know how to plan to manage all of our tasks, flexibility in case the day gets interrupted with something unexpected, ability to stay on task when we have a boring or difficult task to accomplish . . . you get the idea.

We all manage to get through each day, but perhaps the days are more stressful or anxiety-inducing than they need to be. If you have some weakness in EF skills, the ability to get through each day calmly and in an organized manner may be challenging.

Executive function is, in a nutshell, a set of skills that helps each of us get stuff done effectively, efficiently, and consistently.

Imagine you are a 15-years-old with a huge AP biology paper due in three weeks.

Your teacher has given you the essay requirements in a handout as well as a rubric showing the criteria she’ll use to grade your paper.

You need to read three chapters in a textbook as well as the information in a 10-page handout, and then answer multiple questions for your essay.

This is a big essay, with a lot of moving parts. You need strong, fairly well-developed executive function skills to attack this project and get it done well—and on time.

If you have strong executive function skills, you may carefully read, underline and perhaps rewrite the criteria; you’ll prioritize the tasks you need to do, such as read the chapters in the text book; you might estimate the time it will take you to do all the readings and schedule that out in your calendar. At some point, you’ll stand back and self-assess and see how you are doing—are you on schedule? How is the reading and note taking going? If you’re behind schedule, you’ll be flexible and make changes to your calendar to make sure the tasks get done.

Executive function helps you get things done smoothly, in an organized and timely manner, with some reflection and ability to see how you are doing. Teenagers are expected to have very strong EF skills, yet if they have some weak areas, the above AP paper might paralyze them with indecision, feelings of being overwhelmed, and not knowing how or where to start.

We’re not born with these skills; we develop these as our brain matures. And, some kids—and adults—will be stronger in some areas (say, emotional control—i.e., not getting easily frustrated or overwhelmed if the project is difficult or if plans change) and others will be stronger in other areas (such as time management, i.e., you’re able to plan your work so you get your homework or project done on time without serious rushing). And, some people may have weaknesses in these skills that impede them from being as successful as they could be.

Science suggests that EF develops in stages. Research also shows that directly teaching kids (and adults) strategies helps to improve executive function skills. I recommend reading Smart but Scattered to help understand Executive Function and how to help your child manage and develop these skills.

Contact Achievement Academics to see how we can help you or your student develop these important skills.

afox@achievementacademics.com

603.498.4541